Caltrans partners in a Ventura County multi-agency and multi-modal transportation project.

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A long-anticipated $34 million improvement project along US-101 opened on October 28 when Ventura County transportation partners for the Lewis Road Widening Project held a ribbon cutting event overlooking the new US-101/State Route 34 (Lewis Road) Interchange Bridge in Camarillo.

The newly constructed interchange bridge will provide a direct connection to the nearby California State University, Channel Islands (CSUCI) and points west that allows motorists the option to bypass city streets. The project serves a growing regional population as the current student enrollment at CSUCI of 4,000 is predicted to increase to 15,000 by the year 2025.

Caltrans District 7 team provided project oversight to the project’s lead agencies that included the County of Ventura, the City of Camarillo and the Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC). Caltrans funded the final of three phases through the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) that included a bridge over rail tracks and widening the roadway from 2 lanes to 4 lanes. Earlier phases included upgrades to the Camarillo Metrolink commuter train station and relocating railroad tracks.

“Ventura County is important to the region, both economically and in terms of growth, and this project is going to improve several modes of mobility in the area,'' said David Mirraney, Caltrans project manager. “It now provides a connection for rail users, cyclists and the motoring public.”

As the first decade of the new millennium ends, this Lewis Road Interchange project demonstrated that through a team of state, county and local agencies, California’s vision for an integrated, multimodal, interregional transportation system is becoming a reality.